A 44-year-old man charged with murdering his father before hiding him in the boot of a car has died in prison.

Gerard Mulligan, from Co Antrim, was on remand charged with killing his father in September, but was last night found dead in his cell in Maghaberry prison.

A prison source said: “He was tortured by his demons unfortunately.

“He was just among the prison population, not on a landing for vulnerable prisoners.

“It’s just tragic.”

It is understood that Mr Mulligan’s body was discovered by staff at around 7.30pm on Saturday night.

It is believed that he had taken his own life.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service confirmed the death yesterday, saying that both the PSNI and the Prisoner Ombudsman have launched investigations into the death.

Acting Prison Service Director General Phil Wragg said: “I would like to extend my sympathy and that of the Northern Ireland Prison Service to the family of the prisoner who has died in Maghaberry.

“My thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”

Chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association, Finlay Spratt, said: “It is difficult to hear of anyone losing their life whatever the reasons and we have to wait now and see what comes of the investigations.”

Mr Mulligan, from Lisburn , was arrested after the body of his father Gerald Mulligan had been found in the boot of his car in Limehurst Way on Thursday, September 26.